Nairobi — Weapons handed over to Kenyan authorities when 17 suspected Somali pirates were brought into the country were identified in court on Tuesday.

A US special agent with naval criminal investigative service Mr John Swanson identified seven AK47 assault rifles, a HNK assault rifle, an RPG launcher, a pistol, magazines and several rounds of ammunition as those he handed over to the Kenyan authorities.

Mr Swanson said apart from the cache of arms he had identified, other items he handed over to the Kenyan authorities were not in court.

The court was expected to visit the Marine police at the port later yesterday afternoon when the witness was expected to identify the items which were not in court.

Testifying in a case in which 17 people have been charged with piracy, the witness said on May 26 this year aboard a US warship they were on their way to Mombasa to hand over the suspects who had allegedly been involved in piracy.

Another witness Mr Justin Marin said he does not recall whether the captain of MV Amira which had allegedly been under attack gave the colour of the mother ship which the court heard had two skiffs attached to it.

The witness said he got report that a third skiff which the court heard 30-40 persons was a human trafficking vessel hence he let it go.

"I got information that the skiff which attacked MV Amira had 5-6 people," said the witness.

He said various attempts were used to stop the mother ship among them a megaphone which an interpreter used Somali language.

Hearing of the case continues.